Clouds
Tiamat · 1992
39 min · 8 tracks · gothic metal
Ethereal melodies intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, creating a haunting soundscape that bridges gothic metal and atmospheric rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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In a Dream — This track opens the album with a mesmerizing blend of dreamy vocals and heavy instrumentation, setting the tone for the ethereal journey ahead.
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Smell of Incense — With its haunting atmosphere and intricate arrangement, this song exemplifies Tiamat's shift towards a more ambient and psychedelic sound that defines 'Clouds'.
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The Sleeping Beauty — This track features lush melodies and poetic lyrics that showcase the band's ability to merge gothic themes with melodic sensibilities, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Forever Burning Flames — This song encapsulates the album's exploration of existential themes through powerful imagery and dynamic shifts, illustrating Tiamat's innovative approach to gothic metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends atmospheric elements with heavy metal effectively, showcasing strong composition and craft.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that gradually builds in intensity, setting a haunting tone for the subsequent songs.
- Each track features layered instrumentation, with ethereal vocals often harmonizing with heavy guitar riffs, creating a dense soundscape.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that allow for atmospheric exploration, rather than adhering strictly to verse-chorus structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies for introspection
- ethereal soundscapes for solitude
- dreamy atmospheres during late nights
- gentle crescendos that unfold slowly
Maybe skip if you
- seek immediate energy bursts
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1992, 'Clouds' was Tiamat's third album, following their breakthrough with 'Wildhoney' in 1994. This record marked a pivotal moment as the band began to explore more atmospheric and melodic elements, moving away from their earlier death metal roots into a more refined gothic sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paradise Lost· My Dying Bride· Anathema
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 In a Dream 5:12
- 2 Clouds 3:40
- 3 Smell of Incense 4:29
- 4 A Caress of Stars 5:26
- 5 The Sleeping Beauty 4:10
- 6 Forever Burning Flames 4:22
- 7 The Scapegoat 4:56
- 8 Undressed 7:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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